Reciprocating bed units



Oct. 2, 1962 R. MCKINLEY RECIPROCATING BED UNITS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 24, 1959 Oct. 2, 1962 R. L. MCKINLEY RECIPROCATING BED UNTs 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 24, 1959 IN1/EMM fr Ros l.4 McKlNLEY R. L. MCKINLEY RECIPROCATING BED UNITS Oct. 2, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 24, 1959 INVENTOR; ROE L. McKINLEY'` United States Patent Ofihce li-i Patented Get. 2, 1962 3,056,144 RECIPRUCATNG BED UNITS Roe L. McKinley, P.O. Box 1342, Longview, Tex. Filed Aug. 24, 1959, Ser. No. 835,675 6 Claims. (Cl. 5-109) This invention relates to 4apparatus adapted to` impart reciprocating motion to a bed and more particularly to a unit which may be readily applied or tted to a conventional bed or crib for converting the bed to impart reciprocating motion to the occupant and thus pro- Vide a soothing, sleep engendering effect.

It has been suggested that beds `and cribs m-ay be constructed to reciprocate under power supplied by an electric motor `and thu-s provide exercise, stimulation, therapeutic and/ or soothing effects to the adult or juvenile occupants. However beds of such construction have been extremely complicated and subject to many disadvantages so that they have not come into widespread use, `among these disadvantages have been the following the necessity for specially designing and constructing a complete new bed rather than the ability to modify -a conventional bed by addition of a unit to impart the reciprocating movement; the heavy and bulky construction of the support portion of the bed together with the complicated mechanism for creating reciprocation; and the application of the reciprocating force to a central portion of the movable bed part which permits a turning movement rather than rectilinear movement upon increase of friction at one end or the other and thus causes the bed and mechanism to frequently snag or jam.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a reciprocating bed which obviates the disadvantages outlined above.

Another object of the invention is to provide a unit which may be quickly and readily added to or incorporated in `any conventional bed or crib of standard design to impart reciprocating motion thereto or to a part thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide -a unit for imparting reciprocating motion to a bed or bed part which comprises a fixed :frame `and a pair of movable bars together with means to reciprocate said bars, the portion of the bed to be moved being supportable on said pair of bars.

Still `another object of the invention is to provide a unit of the described character for imparting repetitive back and forth motion to a bed or bed part wherein each of said pair of movable bars is driven in the desired motions to lessen the probability of snagging of the moving bed part and jamming of the mechanism.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a unit of the described character for imparting reciprocating motion to a bed which is lightweight and of simple design and construction which uses `a minimum of parts and which is consequently inexpensive to construct, install and operate.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of specic embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures and in which:

FIG. l is a perspective view of `a bed reciprocating unit in accordance with the invention and `adapted to be added to a conventional crib;

FIG. 2 is a top pian View of the unit depicted in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is `an end view in elevation of the same unit;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged end view similar to FIG. 3, partly in elevation and partly broken away `and in section;

FiG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section .taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 after the unit has been inserted Within 'and aixed to a childs crib;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, enlarged, perspective View showing a corner portion of the fixed frame of the unit;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view `of a modified unit installed between the side rails of a conventional bed;

FIG. 8 is an end elevation partly in section of the unit shown in FIG. 7 with the conventional box spring mounted thereon; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along 9 9 of FIG. 8 but with the box spring omitted.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention in the form of la unit adapted to be added to a crib to impart reciprocating motion to the entire crib. The unit, generally indicated by the reference numeral 10, comprises a fixed frame, `a pair of movable bars, power means and mechanism for converting the rotary motion of the power means to thrust and reciprocating movement applied to each of the movable bars.

In FIGS. 14 the fixed frame may be seen as comprising side walls 12 and end walls 14 :forming a rectangle and supported on legs 16. A bar 18 is `fastened to the frame near one end from which is supported `a platform 20 by bolts 22 to carry an electric motor 24. Preferably the motor is encased or enfolded within a resilient, shock absorbing material, shown at 30, FIG. 4, `and pads 32, FIG. 6, of similar material are inserted between the support bar 18 `and the `frame walls 12 to deaden the motor noise `and lessen the vibration condu-cted from the motor -to `a fixed frame. Over each end wall of the frame is fixed a bar 26, these bars are grooved in their upper surfaces for a short distance inwardly from their ends to seat metal channels 28 from which form guide rails.

A pair of bars 36, having antifriction wheels 3S journaled in each end of each bar for riding in the channels 28, are movably mounted over the fixed end bars 26. Bars 36 are each slotted in one or more places as at 40 and screws 42, employing washers under their heads, pass through slots 4t) to loosely retain the movable bars 36 attached to the fixed frame members 26. Thus, the

screws 42 permit the movable bars and fixed frame to be handled as a unit during installation or removal from a crib without preventing desired relative movement between bars 36 and 26 during operation of the bed.

The mechanism for converting the rotary motion of the electric motor 24 to reciprocating motion and applying the latter as a synchronized dual drive to the pair of movable bars 36 will now be explained. .An equalizer bar 44 is pivotally supported on dowel pins 46 between the end walls 14 of the fixed frame. A pair of crank arms 48, one near each end, are fixed to the equalizer o er bar. A crank arm 56 is secured to the shaft of motor 24 and pivotally joined to one of the cranks 48 by the link 52. The ends of the crank arms 48 are also pivotally connected to the movable bars 36 by means of a pair of links 54. Thus, the rotary movement of the motor shaft is transmitted through crank 50, link 52 and crank 43 and results in an oscillating or rocking movement of equalizer bar 44 about its pivots 46. The oscillations of the equalizer bar are in turn converted to equal thrusts upon the two bars 36 through the dual drive links 54 each of which is pivoted at one end to a crank 48 and at the other end to a bar 36. The result is a synchronized, reciprocating motion of bars 34 back and forth longitudinally of the bars and guided by the channels 23 in the end walls of the fixed frame. be apparent that the reciprocating motion thus engendered in bars 36 may be varied in frequency and length of stroke by employment of a suitable control for the speed of the motor and by changing the length of the crank arms and links.

The described unit may be readily and quickly installed in a conventional childs crib as illustrated in FIG. 5. The castors 58 are rst removed from the crib legs 56 and inserted in the legs 16 of the unit frame. The entire crib is then lifted and lowered over the unit which is dimensioned to fit therein. The crib head board 60 and foot board 62, or crib legs 56, are then firmly `secured by screws or other means to brackets 64 fastened to the movable bars 36. Thus, the entire crib is supported for reciprocating movement on the fixed frame of the unit the latter being strong enough to support such a load. In addition the fit of unit 10 within the crib is such that the crib side panels 66 may be lowered or raised so that the child may be easily placed in or removed from the crib. It will be apparent that once the crib and unit have been thus assembled, the application of energy from a source of electric power, not shown, to the motor 24 through conventional connections and controls will start the entire crib moving back and forth in transverse directions carried by the movable bars 36.

In FIGS. 7-9 is shown a modified embodiment of the invention suitable for application to a conventional bed for adults. Since in this application it is unnecessary to support and rock the entire bed but only the spring and mattress, the unit for imparting motion can be stripped to its bare essentials. Thus, the i'lxed frame comprises merely a pair of parallel end bars 26 fitting between the bed side rails 68 in place of the usual spring supporting slats. Preferably the end bars are tied together by a board 70 which xes their spacing. The electric motor 24 is secured to the underside of one of the fixed end bars 26. A pair of journal boxes 72 are also fastened to the undersides of the bars 26 and these provide bearings for the equalizer bar 44' which is of round cross section. The movable bars 36, as in the previously described embodiment, are mounted for antifriction, reciprocating movement on fixed bars 26 utilizing the rollers 38 in guide channels 28 and driven by the dual drive crank arms 48 and links S4. The equalizer bar 44 is oscillated by the same mechanism previously described and embodying crank arms 48 and 50 and link SZ. An L-shaped bracket 74 is fastened at each end of the movable bars 36 so that the conventional box spring and or mattress 76 may be seated on the movable bars 36 and cradled between the brackets for movement with the bars.

To utilize the unit shown in FIGS. 7-9 it is merely necessary to remove the spring and spring supporting slats from any conventional bed and insert the unit between the bed side rails 68 to be supported thereby. The spring and mattress are then cradled on the movable members 36 for movement therewith. In operation, the members 36 will move back and forth in a plane overlying the bed side rails 68 carrying the spring, mattress and occupant It will el of the bed therewith. The modified unit functions to convert the rotary motion of the motor to reciprocating motion of the bed in exactly the same manner as previously described for the crib unit shown in FIGS. l-6.

The described unit may be installed in or removed from any bed in just a moment or two. No alteration of the bed is necessary. When installed, the bed makes up with a neat appearance differing in no respect from a conventional bed not so equipped. It has been found that utilizing the device to swing the springs and mattress sidewise, with a stroke of approximately one and one half inch and about thirty strokes per minute gives a soothing, restful effect to tired and weary nerves and engenders sleep even among those affected with insomnia, arthritis or other illness. The frequency and stroke may of course be modified should it be desired to stimulate or exercise the occupant of the bed. The use of the equalizer bar to provide a dual drive and equal thrust to each of the pair of movable bars prevents all danger of hang up or jamming of the apparatus due to unequal forces or friction which may be applied to opposite ends of the bed.

Although certain specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many modifications thereof are possible insofar as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A small, compact unit for imparting reciprocating motion to a bed comprising a frame lying in a substantially horizontal plane and including spaced parallel end bars and adapted to be fitted within the confines of a sleeping structure of standard design without modification thereof, tracks on the upper faces of said end bars, a pair of movable horizontal bars seated on said end bars and having antifriction means engaging said tracks, an equalizer bar pivotally supported by said frame and extending perpendicularly between said end bars, power means supported by said frame and connected to said equalizer bar to oscillate said bar, and drive means connecting each end of said equalizer bar to the adjacent movable bar to convert the oscillatory movement of the equalizer bar to synchronized reciprocatory movement of said pair of movable bars, whereby to cause reciprocating movement of a standard design sleeping structure when attached to said movable bars.

2. A small, compact unit for imparting reciprocating motion to a bed and adapted to be tted within the confines of a conventional bed without modification thereof, comprising a frame lying in a substantially horizontal plane and including spaced parallel end bars, a pair of movable horizontal bars seated on said end bars and having antifriction means engaging said end bars, a rotatable power means supported by said frame, and dual drive means connecting said power means to each of said movable bars to convert the rotational movement of the power means to synchronized reciprocation of said pair of movable bars, whereby to cause reciprocating movement of a bed when attached to said movable bars.

3. A unit for imparting reciprocating motion to a bed according to claim 2 wherein said dual drive means comprises a crank arm on said rotatable power means, an equalizer bar journaled for oscillatory movement between said end bars, a second crank on said equalizer bar, a link pivotally connecting said crank arm and second crank, a second link pivotally connecting said second crank to one of said movable bars, and a third link and third crank pivotally connecting said equalizer bar to the other bar of said pair of movable bars.

4. A unit for imparting reciprocating motion to a bed according to claim 2 wherein said movable bars are additionally fastened to said end bars by means permitting respective movement therebetween but preventing complete separation whereby the end bars, movable bars and dual drive means may be lifted as a unit for installation in or removal from a bed.

5. A unit for imparting reciprocating motion to a bed according to claim 2 in combination with a standard childs crib having end Walls and including legs and droppable side panels, said movable bars of the unit being attachecl to the end Walls of the crib and supporting the tcrib for reciprocating movement with respect to said xed frame.

6. A unit for imparting reciprocating motion to a bed according to claim 2 in combination with a standard bed for adults, said xed frame of the unit being supported on and between the bed side rails, and the spring and mattress of the bed being supported on the said movable bars resting `between clamps mounted at the ends thereof.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,439,619 Dziedzic Dec. 19, 1922 1,733,115 Capito et al. Oct. 29, 1929 1,909,204 Marchese May 16, 1933 2,074,371 Cummings et al. Mar. 23, 1937 2,570,676 Henderson Oct. 9, 1951 2,609,863 Paulich Sept. 9, 1952 

